Fixing the Saints Part 4: Big-Body Brawler on the D-Line

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; As we present to you the 4th installment of our Big Easy Believer mini-series “Fixing the Saints”, we come to the one position that I believe is the most often “over-looked” problem with the Saints’ disappointing 7-9 finish in 2014.
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As we present to you the 4th installment of our Big Easy Believer mini-series “Fixing the Saints”, we come to the one position that I believe is the most often “over-looked” problem with the Saints’ disappointing 7-9 finish in 2014.

Specifically, the lack of a “push” in the middle / interior of the Defensive Line; and even more specifically, at the spot of Defensive Tackle (a.k.a., the ‘Nose Tackle’).

Getting that “push” up the gut was what allowed the Saints and their pass rush to be successful on the defensive side of the football in 2013. However, that clearly wasn’t the case in 2014.

A lack of a true pass rush absolutely KILLED this football team in 2014. They tallied only 34 sacks, which ranked 25th overall in the League; after putting up 49 of them back in 2013 (fourth best in the NFL that year).

I thought Hicks was very disappointing this year. He was a big part of the "no push" in the middle problem, so I dont think he is the solution.

I personally think getting major upgrades at the DT/NT position is the best way to improve the D. Gallete had a good year rushing the passer with the most pressures in the league. Cam couldn't win the 1v1 battles and isn't worth a big contract, even with that said we had zero pressure from the middle, QBs could step up all day and wait for coverage to break down.